Funny, I was literally just looking at irons - and put a couple on my wish list at Amazon! It seems people either love their Rowenta's - or they hate them. But I guess that is like most things these days. Household appliances just aren't made like they used to be made. I am thinking I wouldn't rule out a Rowenta - but it would have to be a really good sale/price so that I am not spending much more than I would usually spend on an iron.

This Black and Decker one seems to have very good reviews: http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-D...s=rowenta+iron

I am thinking - sometimes you get lucky with irons, sometimes not so much!

I found a Rowenta at a yard sale that had quite a build up on the sole plate but my DH said he could clean it. The lady sold it to me for $1. I tried to use steam once and it leaked so now I just use a squirt bottle for steam pressing and I unplug after using but I need to look into a surge protector. That way I can just flip the switch unstead of pulling on the plug which is somewhat hard to do the RA

Oops! Sorry, just saw you asked me a question! It will shut off after 8 mins upright, 30 seconds if it is tipped over and you can turn the dial to all the way to the end of the "Minimum" marking. I have mine plugged into a surge protector which also has a light plugged into it. When I leave the room for any length of time, I always shut the light off (save electricity, you know!!). By having both the light and the iron plugged into the surge protector, I use the switch on the surge protector to turn them off. I know that as long as that light is off, then my iron is off too!

FYI- and I hope I don't jinx myself - I have had my Rowenta for over a year. It has been knocked off the ironing board more times than I can count (rowdy Shepherds!) and I have to admit, I have knocked it off a couple of times myself. ;) I have had absolutely no issues with it leaking!!! These seems to be the biggest complaint with Rowenta users but it didn't stop me from buying mine and who knows when this one bites the dust what iron I will get for a replacement. I guess I am a "Fly by the seat of your pants" kind of gal when it comes to certain things!!!

If you tilt the iron face down the auto switch won't engage. So far this works on quilt members auto shut off irons I have tried this with. I use a wedge iron stand turned backwards. If you can find a Rowenta iron made in Germany (on the bottom of the box) buy it. The new ones are made in China because Rowenta company was sold a few years ago. Some stores still have an inventory of the German made irons. Tuesday Mornings usually has Rowenta German made irons and I've seen a few at Lowes. I use the Continental no steam iron and the B&D Classic iron with no auto shut off.

A former thread about the Rowenta irons said that the older ones that were made in Sweden never leak but the newer ones, made in China, do. Mine is older, made in Sweden and has never leaked and still steams like crazy. I'd say it's about 10-12 years old.

I bought my Rowenta off ebay several years ago at half the going price (it was slightly used). It works fine but I do not use steam so don't know if it leaks. After hearing so many problems with irons on this site I think you girls are smart to get them at good sale prices.

Correction: It was made in Germany; it's my Janome that was made in Sweden.

Every Rowenta Ive had has ben incontinent!

When you have an iron that is broken, take it apart and look at the auto shut off, it is usually a slow level gauge, and where the water chamber is and how the steam gets to the sole plate. You will learn a lot about irons and if the water you are using is causing the problems of leaking.

My 10 year old Rowenta finally died -- I had just plugged it in and the smoke detector went off, though I did not see smoke I won't take a chance. I had bought a B&D at Target to replace it a few months ago and it is driving me crazy. I am one of those folks who likes steam and the water reservoir is very small -- and the water indicator does not give a good indication of how much water is left.

There might be a different/better model of B&D for me, but I will be hunting for a new iron and put this on the shelf.